Finally, it's here.
The first image from NASA's $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope was released Monday night by President Joe Biden.
The first image shows thousands of galaxies, some of which have never been seen before. This is the most detailed view of the universe to date.
President Biden called it an historic day. He said that the first image from the space telescope was a historic moment. It's for astronomy and space exploration.
He said it was for America and all humans.
There will be more images from the telescope on Tuesday.
The first wave of scientific images gathered by the telescope show the farthest humanity has ever seen.
The image release is the start of general science operations.
The partnership between European and Canadian space agencies was launched in December.
After unfolding into its final form in space and reaching its destination, the telescope recently completed its months-long process of preparing for science operations.
The biggest telescope ever sent into space is the size of a tennis court. It is 100 times more powerful than the aging Hubble Space Telescope.
Telescopes can look back in time because of how long it takes for light from the distant stars to reach Earth. The first stars and galaxies formed around 13 billion years ago and can be seen with the help of the telescope.
From within the solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe, NASA says that Webb will explore every phase of Cosmic History.
A 21-foot primary mirror is being used to study the universe. It will be able to peer through the dust clouds to see the early phases of star formation. The atmospheric compositions of promising far-off planets are hoped to be seen by scientists.
The new telescope is giving up secrets that had been there for a long time, according to Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's science mission chief.
It's not a picture. He said during a recent media briefing that he would show you a new world view.
Zurbuchen said it was difficult to not look at the universe in new light and not just have a moment that is personal.
An international committee of representatives from NASA, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and the Space Telescope Science Institute chose the images.
James Webb was NASA's second administrator and served from 1959 to 1968.
The Associated Press contributed to the story.
This article was originally published by USA TODAY.
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